Drunkskunk wrote:Sorry to hear that happened... But what a review!
The blue in that corosion comes from copper oxides, and that doesn't happen fast. that battery has had trouble for a while. it may be that the wreck caused a marginal cell to fail, and the BMS is just doing it's job and shutting down due to a bad cell.
The battery ought to be covered under warrenty. there is no way that corosion was normal or caused by the crash.
As for the forks, I'd definatly go for a good Beefy Kona or Surly, and avoid Motobecane for the replacement. MotoB is made by Pacific, the same people who make the average walmart bike. Granted, the MotoB is equeped with the best of the best, but there are stronger forks.
and..
Torque arms...
Glad you enjoyed the review. It’s not the first I’ve done, just the first for an e-bike. Here in the camp of Dan K, we get to the skin ‘n pavement of things, even if it means leaving some skin & blood on the pavement like I did today!
Good to know about the battery. The pics were taken within an hour of the crash. If it took a while to get like that, it was already like that. I’m hoping that Worldwide Electric Bikes/Fusin Motors will see fit to replace it under warranty. It seems like it should be a warranty issue to me as well. I’ve had the kit under 2 weeks. In fact, it shipped 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I got it on the 14th, and finished the build and got the first ride in on the 15th, so I’ve actually only had it 9 days, and been riding it for 8. It feels like so much longer! I’ve grown attached to it in such a short time.
If I can get a new battery on warranty I’m definitely thinking about the Kona. I’m actually more of a Surly guy normally, but since I’ve spoken to Russell and seen what I’d be getting, as well as even measurements(!) it seems like the smarter choice, unless someone can provide me with a similar picture and the same measurement on the Surly.
When I spoke with Steve @ WWEB today he told me that better wheel retention was already in the works. I assume this means torque arms, in some way, shape or form. If I am able to get another battery on warranty (I did pay full price for the battery, as part of the deal we worked out for this test) torque arms will be high up on the list of things it needs. I’m thinking something like “am not riding this thing without torque arms”. Today was ugly, and could have been a lot worse. I’m not one to make the same mistake twice. And, since they are now working on better wheel retention for their kits, I won’t really be breaking away from their product review when I continue the review (which I will if I get another battery, there’s still a lot more to be tested!).
My truck is currently out of commission for some exhaust work. I need to figure out a new way to get to the races this weekend now, after being spoiled by this kit I have slacked on fixing my truck and don’t really feel like riding 40 miles with a tent, cooler, clothes, etc. for a weekend at the track. Drat! I need to fix my truck anyway to get my bike to the track for next month, but there’s no way I can finish it by tomorrow night or Saturday morning.
Dan, did the forks actually spread any? Or did the force on the nuts tend to spit the axle out of the dropout? On my first disasterous install, after I took it apart, they were definitely a v shape instead of the u shape. Dan, if you have any bikes with a 1" headset, I have had very good results with the squashed tube type suspension forks. Good quality bmx or mtb steel forks seem to work too. Both will have big beefy dropouts. I think this is crucial for front hubs. If you don't want to continue the review, PM me, and maybe we can work something out on just the motor.
